After a wonderful day and a wonderful supper, both families retired for the night. The young ones had been put to bed some time before and the older children had soon followed, tired out by all the fresh air, the fishing, the walking and the late climb they had taken to the top of the hill at the insistence of Nicholas and Matty, who half-way up ended up being carried the rest of the way on their father's and uncle's backs. Once at the top the young scamps found their energy again and ran their father and uncle ragged.

So no, it was no surprise that all the little ones instantly fell asleep before their heads touched the pillow and everyone else when they decided to call it a night was ready for their beds.

Nick met Jenny coming out of their daughters' rooms. "Girls settled?" Nick asked. Jenny nodded, already loosening her hair and preparing for the night. As they reached their own room, she found Nick's large hands taking over and long but sensitive fingers taking the pins out and then run admiringly through the spilling tresses.

Enjoying the attention and intimacy Jenny allowed herself to think now might be the moment, 'But are you ready to listen now, husband,' she added, wondering if this was the moment to try telling him about the new baby again.

The day had been wonderful. She was a much a creature of the outdoors as her husband was and she loved being with the children and Heath's family, but there had been no opportunity for her and Nick to be alone and Nick, though attentive and loving, was also Nick the gregarious, happy to swap tales with his brother well into the night.

She and Meg had made these trips before with their husbands and she well remembered the occasion she had woken up in the middle of the night minus a snoring husband by her side. Donning a shawl, she had gone outside in her bare feet to find both brothers sleeping outside by a dying camp fire; all talked out, Nick propped up against the trunk of a tree and Heath asleep in his lap. There was no moving them, even if she had sought Meg's help.

Resigned to Nick being Heath's bedfellow for the night and not hers, she simply went inside and with pragmatism borne of being Nick's wife, brought out some blankets for them both and saw to the fire. Tucking a blanket around Heath she moved to do the same with Nick and kissed her husband goodnight on lips that were cool to the touch from the night air.

She was rewarded with the word 'Jenny' escaping his lips. Jenny was thankful. Though insentient he still knew his wife. 'Good job too,' she softly rebuked. Still Jenny had a wicked sense of humor and it was with the sharp memory of having had to sleep apart from her husband that she teased both brothers unmercifully in the morning and swore to Nick that it was not her name that had escaped his lips on her kiss, but Heath's! Both Meg and Jenny had then sat back and laughed as Nick and Heath took an immediate step back from each other and visibly shivered at the thought.

Now, as Jenny and Nick both got into bed and Nick dimmed the lamp, Jenny snuggled into him and found his arm instantly wrap around her and pull her close. 'Yes, now was the time,' she thought, excited to see his response. 'Girl or boy,' Nick would love this child as he did all his others. 'With the biggest of hearts!'

"Nick, darling," she began, "I have something to tell you.

A day later, and it was all too quickly time to go home. None of the children wanted to go and pleaded with their father to stay. A quick swim in the lake did nothing to improve their spirits and it was with heavy hearts they packed the wagon to go home.

Heath met his wife in the doorway and confirmed everything was loaded.

"I'll just go and get James and Matty," he said, remembering the two had gone upstairs to pack their things and had not come down.

Meg, left her husband to round up the missing troops and satisfied that everything was scrubbed and cleaned, she ushered the girls out towards the wagon where Josh and Junior helped them up.

Over at the small lodge, Nick had loaded his own wagon and took extra special care in helping Jenny up onto the buckboard, mindful of her delicate condition and delighted with the news of the baby. His attention taken up with his wife, he failed to notice his brother rushing out of the main lodge.

"What is it, Heath?" Meg asked, immediately alarmed as Heath came running out.

Heath stopped and looked at her grimly. "It's James and Matty. They've gone!"

Nick was the only one to see Heath age in the moment he announced that his sons could not be found in the house. His younger brother had tried to keep his voice controlled for Meg and the children's sake, but Nick saw his brother's fear - it was every parent's fear.

Meg, never more her husband's wife than at the moment, bit back her own fear in order not to alarm the other children. She made her own way down from the wagon and indicated to the children to do the same. Her own action seem to stun Heath out of his own shock.

She ushered the children inside, exchanging a look with Heath and a silent, worried communication. Josh and Jr immediately went to their father's side to take part in the search. Jenny realizing that Meg would want to go with Heath, said she would look after the children and was subsequently helped down from the wagon by a concerned Nick.

"Go!" she said, "The children and I will be fine." Within minutes, the older members of the family were searching the immediate vicinity in search of the two boys. Heath went down to the lakeside, fearing what he might find, Nick searched further down. Josh, directed by his uncle who was thinking clearer than his brother, searched the immediate area around the two lodges, checking out the boy's favorite places. Junior ran to search the barn.

Heath scanned the lake with fear-filled eyes. He couldn't hear his own heart beat and it seemed he had forgotten how to breathe. He searched the reeds and embankment, his boots wading through the water, his heart in his mouth as he looked for any sign of his two beloved sons. Nick's own search too was anxiety filled. He found the boat still tied and breathed a sigh of relief. The boys had not used it, meaning they were not out on the lake. 'Where were they?' he sighed, wanting only one answer. He'd never known such fear in his life.

Meg found it harder to leave the children. They were naturally frightened and worried for their siblings, but Nicholas was inconsolable and desperately wanted to join the search. No amount of reasoning with him would settle him and it was with a heavy heart Meg let him join her. They checked the lodge again but Heath's search had been thorough. The boys were not there. She cursed herself for being a bad mother because she had not noticed them leave the lodge in all her concentration to make sure everything was packed up and ready for them to leave.

Meg felt desperate inside but kept calm for her children. She bent down low to Nicholas who was the closest sibling to his missing brothers. "Nicholas," she said, trying to find calm in her voice. She needn't have worried. Her voice found its natural level. "Listen to me Nicholas," she said, gently holding on to him. "James and Matty were upset at having to go home today, weren't they?"

Nicholas nodded. "I was too!" he added, finding it hard to stop tears filling his eyes.

"Did they mention anything to you about it?" Meg continued, using her thumbs to gently wipe away his tears.

Nicholas shook his head.

Meg's heart sank.

"They said...." he added after a few moments.

"Yes Nicholas, what did they say?" Meg encouraged. "It's alright Nicholas, James and Matty are not in trouble. We just want to make sure they are safe."

"They said they wanted to climb the mountain again." Nicholas finally breathed out.

"The mountain?"

Nicholas nodded, "Yes the one we climbed yesterday." Meg sighed with relief, remembering the hill they had climbed, thinking to the children it must have seemed like a mountain.

"Mommy, do you think they are alright?" Nicholas whined, seeking his mother's embrace.

She pulled him close and kissed the top of his blond head, hoping her words didn't lie. "I'm sure they are. What's say we go and find them."

"I can come too?"

Meg nodded. "C'mon let's go tell your father where we think they are." She got up and Nicholas slipped his hand into hers. He was a big boy but he didn't want to leave his mother right now. 'Mommy would make things right again,' he thought, 'Like she always did.'

Meg quickly changed into a pair of Heath's pants which she tied roughly with some thin rope to keep them secure and then grabbed one of his shirts which hung loosely over her slender frame. She did not want to be impeded by skirts in her climb up the hill and knew that if she did not change she would only slow the search down. Nicholas looked at his mother strangely. She looked so different. Meg gave him a reassuring smile so that he could see she was still Mama. Together they went downstairs and alerted the others.

The climb up the hill would take about two hours. The day was still early and there was plenty of light. They set off as soon as they had gathered, each armed with a rifle to alert the other as to their location should they get lost or come across the boys.

Little James' legs would not carry him any further. He slumped down and with fists balling his tear-strewn eyes he cried that he wanted his Mommy and Daddy and wanted to go home. Matty, who had been leading his little brother by the hand down the mountain, sat down next to him. "Don't cry James," he soothed, whilst all the time wanting to cry just as much. His bottom lip trembled in the attempt to hold back the tears and appear strong for his baby brother.

It had been so easy yesterday when they were with Papa and Uncle Nick. They had found their way down easily from the mountain but today things looked different. In the trees each path looked the same and he couldn't remember how to get home. They'd been walking for ages and both boys were scared, tired, alone and frightened by the sounds of the forest. He knew he should keep moving but James refused to go any further and curled up into a ball. Both boys had minor cuts and grazes from having fallen and scuffed their hands and knees. Matty curled around his brother and James snuggled in for his older brother's protection. They waited to be found and promised out loud that they would never go anywhere without telling their mommy and daddy again.

With Heath and Meg preoccupied in their search for Matty and Little James, Nick took charge of Nicholas who being little could not keep up with the search party under his own steam. Giving the boy the important task of being lookout he hoisted the little chap on his shoulders. As they entered the forest the party set to separate so as to widen the search. Josh went with his mother under his father's instruction and Junior was allowed to set out on his own, old enough and sensible enough to know how to track and not get himself lost.

Heath quickly kissed Meg goodbye and felt her grip on to his hand. "They'll be fine," he reassured her. "We'll find them."

"I know we will," Meg confirmed, squeezing his own hand back and transferring her own strength of belief.

"Remember one shot every 15 minutes and two if you find the boys," Heath directed everyone before they separated.

"Got it," they all confirmed back.

Heath winked at his son sitting on Nick's shoulders and gave his son a smile, the first he had managed since discovering the children were gone.

Seeing it, Nicholas reached out his arms for his father and Heath strode over and accepted his son's embrace, kissing him on his cheek. "Be good for your Uncle Nick, okay?'

"Can I come with you Papa?' Nicholas asked.

Heath wanted to travel alone, he wasn't functioning well, emotionally or mentally, and he knew it; he did not want to endanger his son.

"I reckon your Uncle Nick would miss a good scout, if you did," he replied.

Nicholas gripped his Uncle's head and leant down over Nick's face "Do you need me, Uncle Nick?"

Half-blinded by Nicholas' fingers, Nick nodded. "I reckon I do, pardner."

"Oh!" came back the disappointed reply. Nicholas wasn't happy as he really wanted to go with his father, but his Uncle Nick needed his help. "Okay Papa, I'll help Uncle Nick."

"Good boy, Nicholas," Heath said patting his leg and shooting Nick a grateful look.

The search party spread out, each taking their respective routes. At intervals a shot would ring out, signifying the direction they had taken. They each waited for the second shot and died a little more when it never came.

Junior traveled along his own path, his thoughts occupying two conflicting levels. His gut twisted with that awful wrenched feeling, the kind you got when you got a really bad feeling about something. He loved his brothers and the fact that they were little and missing tore at his heart. On the other hand, he was also annoyed that they had gone off on their own, causing them all this worry. As a boy-man his thoughts swayed between not forgiving them the worry they were causing his parents and a desire to find them quickly; to have the family back as it was before.

Caught up in his thoughts, he missed his footing and stumbled on the forest floor. He fell down, hurting his knee on a large rock. A newly learned cuss word escaped his lips, one that he had learned from his friends.

In anger and fear he shouted out to his missing brothers, calling out their names, first Matty and then James. He did not expect an answer, there had been none coming for the last hour. He froze when he heard them respond through the rustling trees. He called out again and they shouted back again.

Struggling to his feet he limped towards their voices, telling them to keep shouting to him so as to direct him. He heard Matty's voice respond, this time more stronger. "We're over here."

"Stay where you are," Junior shouted back, "Don't move, I'll find you!" he said, running towards the sound of Matty's voice.

Reaching his brothers, his leg gave out just as he found them huddled together. The weather wasn't cold and yet both brothers were shivering. Instantly Junior clasped them and for a few moments all three brothers hugged each other refusing to let go. "Are you alright?" he enquired, finally breaking away to check them over. Little James, his fear receding, pulled up his knee and pointed to a nasty graze. "I hurt my knee!" he whined, wanting attention.

Junior forgot all his anger and checked over the knee. "I reckon that needs a bandage at least, soldier," he smiled, relieved that the injury was not more serious.

"You do!" James sniffled, suddenly proud of his wound. "That means Papa will have to carry me down now, won't it?"

"I reckon so," said Junior, smiling as he stood up. There wasn't too much wrong with his brothers that a little attention from the family wouldn't put right. He sent off a shot from his rifle up into the air, signaling his position. And then sent the second shot the whole family were waiting to hear. The boys had been found, safe and sound.

"Let me look son," Heath directed as he felt his son's injured leg whilst Meg tended to James and Matty.

"I'm alright, father. It doesn't hurt too much. "Did I do alright, sir?"

Heath squeezed Junior's arm and said with real pride and gratitude. "You did just fine, son. Thanks to you, your brothers are safe and sound. Now let me check you out. You're equally important to me and I want to see if you are injured." Junior acquiesced and Heath carefully rolled up his son's torn right pant leg. Though bruised and grazed there was no serious injury. "Think you can walk, son?" he asked, pulling the pant leg down again.

Junior lifted hooded blue eyes to his father and nodded. "I reckon so, sir. It hurt first of all, but it's not bad now."

Heath smiled at his son's bravery. His son was growing up. Today he had acted like a man. Shortly, he would be joining Heath full time on the ranch, his school days over, his heart set on being a rancher like his father. Heath ruffled his son's hair and helped him to stand whereupon he gave him a bear hug. "Proud of you boy," Heath whispered into his son's ear. He felt Junior grow taller in his arms.

Josh came over to help his brother down the mountain whilst Heath scooped up a thumb sucking James who was sat in his mother's lap.

"I got a sore knee," James pouted as he rested his head on his father's shoulder, glad for his father's attention at last.

"Any reason why I shouldn't give you a sore bottom too," his father said sternly.

Little James' head shot up at the thought of being smacked. He looked very sorry for himself and his puppy dog eyes pleaded with his father's. "Because it will hurt," he said innocently.

"Yes it would." His father confirmed. "Like you and Matty hurt your mother and I and all your brothers and sisters when you went off this morning without asking permision or telling us where you were going."

"I'm sorry Papa," James answered. "We just wanted to climb the mountain before we went home."

Matty, held in his uncle's arms ready for the journey down, listened on. Heath realized he had both his sons' ears. "That's as maybe James, but your mother and I love you and are responsible for you both. You are far too young to be climbing the mountain on your own. You could have been seriously hurt and we may not have found you." Heath took a pause, reliving the awful fear of the search still fresh in his memory. He shifted James in his arms so he could look him in the eye and then turned to Matty, addressing them both. "You must never do that again, either of you," he said, gripping James' arm tightly with the parent's fear he still felt. "You must always tell us where you are going and you must not go anywhere without our permission first, do ya hear?"

James was mesmerized by his father's anger and the grip on his arm. He knew he had done wrong and he knew by how tightly he was being held by his father he must never do it again. But something puzzled the little fellow. His father was angry and yet he had a tear in his eye too. Was his father crying? His young mind understood some but not all of what his father was saying. "I promise, Papa," he softly, wiping the tear away from his father's eye. Matty followed a moment later with his own apology and there was a moment's pause as looks became exchanged between father and sons. "Well let's get home then," Heath sighed, his fear finally expelled. James felt himself clutched tightly and his cheek kissed by his father's lips. "I love you, son," he heard his father say. With childish exuberance James gripped his father's neck tightly with his small arms. "I love you too, Papa. I'm really sorry we went off without telling you."

"I know you are son," Heath answered. "Now let's get you all home." He stopped to grip the back of Matty's neck and dropped a heart-felt kiss kiss to his son's lowered head. It wasn't blond like his other sons but the love he felt for the boy was just the same as he felt for the others.

Without saying another word, the family descended the mountain. Nick carrying Matty, Meg helping Nicholas who walked by her side, Josh helping Junior and Heath carrying James cradled in his arms. "I got a sore knee!" James announced again, holding up his knee so his father could look."

Heath smiled. "Will a kiss make it better?"

James nodded.

Heath dropped his mouth to the spot and kissed the grazed wound. "Better?"

James nodded. "Papa? Does your heart still hurt?" he asked, taking Heath by surprise.

"I reckon it does," Heath answered.

James turned in his father's arms and kissed his father's vest right above the heart. "Better?" he asked.

Heath almost choked on the emotion he felt over the innocent gesture. "You bet it does, son," he said gripping his son tighter. A few moments later James was asleep, his thumb tucked safely in his mouth.

The family had been home a week when it was time for the visit of Meg's mother and Victoria's sister, Elizabeth Stanhope.

Meg and Heath stood with some of their children waiting for the train to arrive. It was an hour late and the children were becoming restless. Josh and Junior stood to one side entertaining Nicholas and Matty with a dime novel, which Josh had just bought from the store. Nicholas and Matty sat open mouthed and cheered and jeered with each cliffhanger that leapt from the page and was given dramatic effect by the two brothers playing out the roles of Kansas Jacks and Evil Dan Slade.

Their sisters, Victoria, Rosie and Clara sat nearby on a seat on which an old lady also sat with her cat. Each Barkley girl was neatly turned out in matching dresses and ribbons. Amid squeals which brought their father's attention by way of a raised eyebrow the younger ones giggled as a boy of about seventeen waiting with his family stole glances towards Victoria and then blushed profusely when he was caught doing so. Embarrassed by her sisters, Victoria told them to hush and suffered their teasing as a result. Secretly happy at the attention and thinking him rather nice, Victoria wondered if the boy was waiting to board the train on if he was here to meet someone like she and her family were. She could not remember seeing him before.

"Do you remember Grandmother Elizabeth?" Clara asked of the sister who was still watching the boy under hooded eyes.

"Of course, I do," Victoria answered, thinking the question somewhat silly and then added, "but I was very small. I expect she has changed like we have."

"Do you think she will like us?" Rosie asked pursuing her sister's subject.

Victoria, her attention forcibly drawn away from her admirer turned to her sister. "She already does. She has met you, you know?"

"Yes?" Rosie answered. It was difficult because although she had met her grandmother she really didn't remember her.

Victoria saw her sister's concern and softened her tone. "Don't worry. You'll see."

Rosie smiled back, much relieved. The sisters resumed their attempts at a lady-like posture for sitting at a train station and sat quietly for a while. The old lady stroked her cat, amused by the young girl's conversation. "Oh what it was to be young!" she thought wistfully, remembering her own youth.

James made a move to leave his father's side.

"James," his father softly, but firmly rebuked.

James returned to his father's side. "I know Papa," he said, remembering he was not to leave his father's side. He held onto his father's pant leg where out of boredom he swung himself round finally ending up on his father's boot before sinking to the dusty floor. Heath hoisted his son up with one hand and James found himself on his feet again. "When will the train come, Papa?" he asked again, having asked only five minutes before.

"I reckon it should be here soon," his father placated whilst Meg took her son by the seat of his pants and brushed off the dust from when he had sat on the floor. His clothes once again made smart and presentable, she declared herself happy and told him not to do it again.

"But my legs are tired Mama?" Little James protested.

Heath who did not want his son chasing around the platform whilst trains came and went scooped him up and sat him on his shoulders. "Look over there on the horizon, James," he said. "What can you see?"

James shaded his eyes with his right hand and peered off into the distance. "Nothing Papa," he said disappointingly.

"Keep looking son and as soon as you see the train you holler and let us know, okay."

"Okay, Papa!" James enthused, liking this game.

Heath held onto his son's legs and turned to Meg and his mother who had come over from her seat where she had sat regally reading her paper with the spectacles she was now forced to wear. Being Victoria the spectacles suited her perfectly and added to her face rather than detracted from it. "No tellin' what time the train will arrive or how long the delay. Why don't you two take the children to the hotel and get something to eat. I'll wait here for Aunt Elizabeth and join you over there."

Meg looked around at the children and nodded. "They've been awfully good, but it's only a matter of time before they start getting fractious." She kissed Heath on the lips and slightly dislodged her new hat which Heath had recently bought her. Straightening it, she asked James if he wanted to come as well. James liked his new job of looking out for the train but his tummy liked the idea of something to eat as well. "I'll come," he said. Heath pulled him over his head and down his front to land safely on the ground whilst Meg rustled up the troops.

Junior offered to stay with his father. "It's okay son," Heath assured him. "You go get something to eat. As soon as the train is in your Grandmother Elizabeth and I will join you."

Junior smiled his father's smile back at him. "Okay, Pa."

Heath watched his family exit the train station and turned back towards the empty line, pulling out a smoke as he did so which he subsequently lit up.

It was some thirty minutes later the train finally arrived and the platform filled once again.

"Heath! Heath! Over here!"

Heath turned to see his mother-in-law waving from an opened carriage door.

"Aunt Elizabeth," he greeted warmly, helping her down from the carriage after taking her bags.

"Don't say anything, I know we are so late. I wondered if we would ever get here. Is the rest of the family here?"

"They're waiting over at the hotel for you." Heath informed.

"Are all the children here?" she enthused, the tiredness of the journey leaving her now that she had finally arrived.

"A good number. Matty, Nicholas and James are here. We kind of added to our numbers since we last saw you. You'll see the twins when we get back to the mansion too." He joked.

"Having a large family suits you and Meg, Heath," she said with genuine admiration for the parents they had become. "Now, let me look at you Heath." she announced, wanting to look at this man she was proud to have in her family, both as a nephew and a husband to her daughter.

Heath, never one for being the object of attention, stood obediently and waited for his aunt to make her assessment. It had been six years since they had last seen each other save for the exchange of family photographs sent back and forth.

Elisabeth Stanhope took in the tall, slightly greying, but still handsome man in front of her.

"Still as handsome," she smiled happy, to see him looking so well. Her son-in-law still had his illnesses she knew but they were fewer and no longer life-threatening like they once were. God had answered their prayers. How she remembered that day almost twenty years ago when she and Victoria had prayed together for the return of good health to this young man. She had comforted her sister then, telling her the fight wasn't over and it wasn't. The family and Heath had seen to that. He was a remarkable man and she meant on this visit to tell him that. She leaned forward for a kiss on her cheek before allowing him to pick up the two bags she had brought with her. More bags were in the luggage car and would be sent out later to the ranch. She let him lead her out of the station and towards the hotel where she would reunite with the family and the sister and daughter that she so missed. Not for the first time she speculated how the West had claimed the two people closest to her.

Long heart-felt greetings exchanged with her daughter and sister, Elizabeth turned her attention to discovering which of her grandsons was called Matty. Of course, she knew who was who by the wonderful descriptions of family life Meg sent her six times a year and the photographs she included, but she wanted the boys to introduce themselves to her and so get a measure of each one. She chose Matty first because already she knew he was the quiet one and from Meg's correspondence she had a soft spot already for this little boy.

"Now tell me young gentlemen," - all three little ones liked that, "which one of you is Matty?" Matty held on to his mother's hand and in the way mother's need to do sometimes she pushed him forward when he didn't want to go introduce himself. "I'm Matty," he said shyly watched on with pride by both his parents.

"Matty what?" Elizabeth asked.

"Matty Barkley, ma'am," he said, wondering if he had said anything wrong.

"Well that's a fine name, young man, both the first and the second. It suits you very well, but I heard you had another name as well."

Matty nodded as he was drawn to the old woman by her hand. "Heath," he said quietly but with pride at having been given his father's name on his adoption.

"Well Mathew Heath Barkley, I am your grandmother Elizabeth and I am very pleased to meet you at last. Now come and kiss me."

Matty hesitated and then leaned up to kiss his grandmother on the cheek as instructed. Immediately, he felt himself pulled into her embrace and swallowed up by the scent of Lemon Verbena. She smelt like Granny Victoria and the familiarity made him feel right at home. When she let him go with a sweet kiss on his up turned face, he found himself pulled back by his father's hands and his shoulders squeezed with parental pride. He nestled contentedly and watched his brothers, his brothers, introduce themselves to Granny Elizabeth to whom he had been introduced first.

"I'm Nicholas Jarrod Barkley, Granny Elizabeth," Nicholas announced with none of the shyness of his brother and without waiting for an introduction. "I'm six and a quarter!"

"Well now that quarter is very important, isn't it?" Elizabeth replied, sharing a look with her sister who sat nearby proudly sharing her grandchildren.

"I have some friends who are only six," he replied, as if the statement alone was explanation.

"So you are Nicholas Jarrod are you? I see you carry both your uncles' names. Well now that's an important responsibility. Do you make your uncles proud?"

Nicholas turned to his father looking for the answer. Heath nodded and Nicholas turned back to his grandmother and said 'yes' emphatically.

"You look like your father Nicholas but there is more than a drop of your Uncle Nick running through your veins. I'm pleased to meet you Nicholas Barkley, now give me a kiss."

Coming to James she beckoned him forward. James was almost as reluctant as Matty to meet his grandmother. She looked kind but the only grandmothers he had known was Granny Victoria and Granny Leah who he talked to in his prayers at night, wishing her goodnight and telling her about his day.

His Mama said Granny Leah would like hearing about what he had done. Now he had three grandmothers! It was very confusing.

"And who are you young man?" Elizabeth asked, charmed by all her new grandchildren. as well as the ones that she knew.

"James," her grandson answered shyly, and, anticipating the next question he added, "But I don't remember my other name."

His mother stepped forward and reminded him that it was Edward and that he was named after his Uncle in New York.

"My name's James Edward Barkley," he stumbled out.

"And how old are you, James Barkley?"

"I'm five, but I'm not the baby anymore. I got me a younger brother and sister now!"

"You don't want to be the baby anymore?" Elizabeth asked of her grandson, knowing full well that James did from his mother's letters.

James stepped back into his mother's skirts and stuck his thumb in his mouth, giving her the answer without ever realizing it. Elizabeth did not force the issue. "Well I am pleased to meet you too, James Barkley and I am looking forward to getting to know you."

James turned in his mother's skirts, pressing his face into the folds. Still he peeked a look at the kind old lady who had just spoken to him.

The next half hour was taken up with afternoon tea and Elizabeth getting to know her other grandchildren again. Exactly at 4pm the family set off back home to the ranch, Victoria and Elizabeth seated next to each other and sharing news and reminisces all the way home.

In another buggy, Nicholas unraveled a poster which he had found blowing in the wind along the boardwalk as they had walked with their mother to the hotel. He had picked it up and tucked it into his pocket when told to hurry up by his mother. He would show his Papa when he got home.

After checking over the day's work and any problems that had cropped up with the foreman, Heath retired to the house and to the Parlor where the rest of the family had gathered. Nicholas watched his father come into the room and go over to his Mama and kiss her then kiss his own mother on the cheek. There was always lots of kissing in this family. He'd been kissed twice by his new Grandmother and then by his Grandmother Victoria when he had brought her sewing to her at his Mama's request and then his Mama had kissed him not once but twice just for no reason at all. He didn't really mind it was just that his face got wet in the process.

He stopped playing with his soldiers and waited for his father to sit down in his favorite chair before pulling the poster out of his pocket again. Leaving his brothers he walked over to his father to show him the picture. Heath took the poster and studied it carefully whilst Nicholas leaned over the arm of his chair to view it as well, kicking his legs up in the air as he pivoted on the arm. "What is it Papa?" he asked after his father had looked at it a while. "I found it in the street when we were walking to the hotel."

"It's a poster advertising the arrival of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in San Francisco." his father said, pulling Nicholas up on to his lap so they could study the poster together.

"San Francisco! Boy Howdy! That's where Uncle Judge lives, isn't it?" Nicholas squealed, turning around to his father with hope that they would be able to go. "Oh Papa, please. Can we...can we go to the wild west show? It shows cowboys and injuns and soldiers just like mine... do you think Evil Dan Slade and Kansas Jacks will be there as well?" he said remembering the characters from the dime novel Josh and Junior had been reading earlier.

Heath had heard of the Wild West show and of Buffalo Bill. He also knew the wild west was not quite as portrayed in the show or in the dime novels his son Josh and his younger sons were so fond of. It was entertainment for the masses, for people back East and the courts of Europe who had never even visited the west and Buffalo Bill was perhaps the biggest showman of all. The violence and war of the West had become the subject of theater in a show were bullets and knives flew but no one was killed. Part of Heath drew moral indignation at the idea and the other part was aware that time and things moved on; that this was a show, a circus and something his children perhaps would never see the likes of again. He was a child of the old west, his children would belong to its future in a world increasingly industrialized with horseless carriages replacing horses, machines replacing people and things that flew in the sky. In all of this he hoped the ranch and interests would survive. Meanwhile, he had a little buckaroo sitting on his lap who was wide eyed with excitement at the prospect of seeing a real life traveling show. He determined there and then that the family would go. Very soon Nicholas' poster was being shown to the rest of the family and arrangements were being planned.

"Can Little Heath come too?" Nicholas asked.

Later that evening, Heath had to smile as Nicholas said his prayers and told God how excited he was to be going to see the show. He listened to all his sons say their prayers and their excited chatter as they settled down for the night.

"Papa?"

"Yes Nicholas,"

"It's going to be the biggest thing we've ever seen, isn't it?"

"Yes Nicholas. The biggest. Now get some sleep."

Now the organization of thirteen children required some forward planning but the Heath Barkleys were well versed in how to organize their brood. Usually, it meant one of the older ones taking charge of a younger one and so it was in this well tested fashion that the family made their way through the huge array of tents lining the Bay area along with the rest of the crowds to see the great spectacle that had come to San Francisco for the first time.

"Isn't it exciting Mama, " Nicholas said excitedly as he held hands with his mother. He longed to go explore and find all the injuns and soldiers. He was use to cowboys on the ranch and less interested in them.

"Oh yes, Nicholas. I've never seen anything like it before." Meg enthused, genuinely overwhelmed by the size of the crowds and the building anticipation for the spectacle they were about to see. It was like nothing they had ever seen before.

They followed Heath who guided them through the crowds holding James in his arms. The little boy turned from left to right, his eyes trying to take everything in. Used to the wide open spaces of the ranch he had never seen so many people before. Leaning over his daddy's shoulders he informed his siblings of everything he could see from his vantage point. Nicholas and Matty who were now only seeing the legs and skirts of adults as they neared the big arena were rather envious of their little brother for they could see nothing now.

"What can you see now, James?" Matty asked as he held on to his sister Cate's hand whilst close behind Junior escorted his sisters, Victoria, Clara and Rosie. Behind them Samuel and Leah helped their Grandmother Victoria, whilst Sean escorted his wife and Grandmother Elizabeth, making sure everyone was accounted for and there were no strays.

"Oh..Oh," replied James getting even more excited and pushing himself up on his father's shoulders to get a better view, "I see a huge big man with something furry on his head. He's got fur on his face too!" he continued, referring to a beard and almost toppling down the back of Heath's back in his excitement. Heath held onto him firmly.

"What can you see now?" Nicholas asked, pouting when James didn't keep up the running commentary quick enough.

"A man in a skirt! Papa?" he asked, sliding his way back down into his father's arms, "Why is a man wearing a skirt?"

Heath looked stumped for a moment. And then he thought 'kilts'. "Well..." he said stumbling, "A Scotsman wears a kilt instead of pants. It's tradition."

James still look confused and fingered his own pants. "But Papa," he whispered into his father's ear. "Doesn't he feel the cold ... I mean under his skirt." Heath let out an involuntary laugh, "Well son, to be honest I've never asked."

Eventually the family made their way into the big arena and found their seats. They met Jarrod and his family in the front row and Nick and his family were to join them there soon, taking up seats reserved next to Jarrods. That way the family could enjoy the spectacle together. Having found their seats, needless to say the little ones did not remain in them for long and were running up and down in the space between the seats and the barrier to take all the sights in. It was the biggest thing they had ever seen and their excitement was great. They pestered everyone with questions and "oohed" and "ahhed" at so many things from the red, white and blue banners that hung everywhere to the size of the crowd and what they might see.

Having negotiated his way through the crowds Nick finally joined them with his family and very quickly Little Heath and Nicholas were reunited, with James telling him everything that he had seen. Victoria and Elizabeth sat together and Heath sat next to Meg with his right hand in his lap, holding Meg's smaller hand.

Then the band started and suddenly the auditorium was filled with the sounds of the Star Spangled Banner and the children's feet were dancing as in paraded the great man himself, Buffalo Bill, followed by a colorful parade of cowboys on horses, cavalry in blue, indians in war paint and feathers, women wearing buckskins holding rifles, mounted police from Canada and a whole array of international attractions including cossacks from Russia.

"Matty!" James shouted above the noise.

"What?" Matty asked, not wanting to take his eyes of the spectacle.

"Those are those men with furry hats, see!"

It was hard to describe the colors, noise and sights that paraded before them. Even to seasoned cowboys like Nick and Heath, it was certainly some sight. And their children were ecstatic, forming memories that would last well into their old age. Being on the front row, the Barkley youngsters had a perfect view and sat on the low bales of hay that acted as a barrier between the arena and the audience. They made some sight. First Nicholas, then Little Heath, carefully watched by his father, then Matty, then James who sat in front of his parents, who were ready to pounce and pull him back should he get too excited and jump into the arena.

Quickly the arena emptied and the boys looked back at their parents to make sure it wasn't all over, then just as sharply their heads turned back as a man announced the appearance of Miss. Annie Oakley.

Everyone applauded as the celebrated Little Sharp Shooter made her entrance and took center stage. The children had never seen a markswoman before and their jaws dropped open as a man stepped forward and placed a cigarette in his mouth which she then proceeded to shoot from thirty paces.

"Wow! Did you see that?" The boys chorused, unable to believe what they had seen. Their little hands applauded enthusiastically along with the rest of the crowd. Then they watched as she aimed at a man holding a playing card and shot the corner edge right from it, holding it aloft as proof to the crowd. If the boys saw nothing else that evening it was enough to fill them with tales with which to rush back to school and tell all their classmates.

All too soon, Miss. Oakley was taking her bows and departing to thunderous applause. But replacing her was a stagecoach riding hell for leather and being chased by indians. Now the boys were use to stagecoaches, they had been on those before, but they had never seen anything like this.

The stage thundered past, though at a safe distance and the hooves of the horses sounded like a herd of buffalo building up to a stampede. Little Heath crawled off his seat and ran back to his father where he sat for the remainder of the show on his father's knee and Little James did the same.

Nicholas and Matty stayed were they were, not wanting to miss at thing. All of a sudden, the stagecoach came to a stop along with the indians and outstepped Buffalo Bill to accept the applause of the crowd, sweeping his hat with a grand gesture from his long, wavy gray hair and acknowledging the indians who included the famous Chief Running Bear.

Jarrod's more reserved children leapt off their seats and went and joined Nicholas and Matty on the bales of hay bringing smiles to their parent's faces. This was going to be some night.

The entertainment did not cease. Next up were members of the Sioux, Arrapahoe and Cheyenne tribes dressed in full war paint and costumes who performed a combination of mock fights and war dances, the steady beat of their dance, chants and war cries filling the stadium with alien and interesting sounds.

Following that, a demonstration of the first Pony Express ride by a group of riders who illustrated with their speed and bravery how mail was distributed across the continent prior to the arrival of trains and telegrams and against great odds. The boys really liked seeing that and seeing the mail exchanged from rider to rider and state to state, already deciding in their young minds to play this as a game at home.

Next came the amazing sight of foreign armies with Mounties from Canada riding in disciplined ranks wearing their bright red tunics and cossacks from Russia who rode fiercely around the stadium holding sabres aloft. There were representatives from France, Great Britain, Mexico and Spain too, bringing an international flavor to events. The little boys were so excited that they alternated between sitting down, wide eyed at what they saw and running back to tell their parents about what they had seen. Little Heath stood on his father's lap enthusiastically clapping his hands, not quite understanding it all but loving every moment until the moment little fists rubbed tired eyes and he was ready for a nap in his father's arms.

Events kept up a pace and next it was announced that there would be a race between some indian boys and children from the audience. The boys were of about fourteen and fifteen and Junior and Josh enthusiastically asked their father if they could take part in the race. Jarrod's boys wanted to do the same. Both fathers agreed and along with about twenty other boys they made their way to the center of the arena and to the great Buffalo Bill himself to whom they were individually introduced.

Deeply envious, Nicholas ran back to his father, "Can I go Papa? Please let me go! I want to go run in the race." Heath knew his son was set for disappointment as he was far too young and set about explaining why he could not. Nicholas wasn't happy but he had been told by his father no and did not argue. He hitched up his pants which were just a little too big for him still and returned to his seat next to Matty to watch his brothers race.

Josh and Junior and their cousins all lined up with the other boys and waited for the beginning of the race to be announced. Good runners, they considered themselves in with a good chance but when the race began and the indian boys set off with feet as swift as a gazelle's they soon realized that there was never any way that they were going to catch up with such good runners.

Heath and Jarrod watched as their sons finished the race and with good grace congratulated the indian boys on a race well won. The five Barkley boys ran back to their seats, smiling and exuberant, not caring that they had lost, for they had taken part in a Wild West Show.

Nicholas was still unhappy that he could not take part in something like his brothers had but when Buffalo Bill brought the arena to silence and announced that there was going to be a race of a different sort for younger children he was instantly up on his feet and pestering his father again. This time Matty joined in too. "Can we, Papa? Can we?" Heath was concerned about them being too young to go out into the arena all on there own and could see Meg's concern too. Then Buffalo Bill announced that this was a race that required an adult to accompany each child. That sealed it. Heath roped Jarrod into joining him and the older man took of his jacket and walked, somewhat embarrassed it must be said for this most urbane of men, to the center of the arena.

Nicholas, holding on to his uncle's hand, was unable to contain his excitement, but Matty, a little in awe of the large crowd leaned into his father shyly. Heath squeezed his son's hand with encouragement and shared a look of bemusement with Jarrod at what they might have planned.

Buffalo Bill noticed Matty's shyness and came up to him, towering over the young boy. 'And what's your name, young man?" he asked, trying to bring the boy out of his shell. Matty said his name softly, "Matty Barkley, sir," he said in complete awe.

"Barkley? Barkley?" Buffalo Bill stroked his long beard and queried. "Have I just met your brothers?"

Matty nodded. "Yes sir. You met two of them and this is my brother too," he said, pointing to Nicholas who for once was stuck for words and was just silently standing by.

"So you are another one, huh?" the great man replied walking over to Nicholas. Nicholas nodded.

"Well young man, how do you like sheep?"

"Sheep?" Nicholas suddenly found his voice and immediately scrunched up his face. He then made everyone laugh by saying, "But we're cattlemen!"

Ahh, how his uncle Nick would have been proud had he heard the words.

Buffalo Bill burst out laughing, "Quite right, young man. Quite right. And we will be seeing lots of those later. But tell me young man," he said pulling a sheep towards him that had been walked into the stadium with several others, "Do you think you could ride a sheep like this one in a race?

Nicholas' face looked quizzical at first and then seeing the sheep's face, he beamed. "Yes, I think so."

"Well young man that's what we are going to do. We are going to have a sheep race and you have to hold on to the reins and try and get them to that finishing line over there. Your father is allowed to help by holding on to you. Is that clear?"

Nicholas and Matty nodded and looked excitedly at their father. Then quickly they had made their way with the other little boys to the start line to mount up and begin the race.

The crowd applauded as the little ones were all sat on their mounts by the adults and held on to the reins tightly. Heath held onto Matty and Uncle Jarrod, never thinking he would get this close to a sheep and in such circumstances, helped Nicholas. "Uncle Jarrod, don't let go!" Nicholas warned him. "We got to win the race."

"Listen, young man." Jarrod counseled him, "Just keep focused on guiding this beast. I'll stay focused on keeping you in your seat. Anything more than that will be a bonus!"

A hooter sounded the start of the race and the young riders, the sheep and an assortment of adults were off. Well some of them any way. Everyone knew were the finish line was but the sheep it seemed. They were not interested at all. Some refused to move, some moved around in circles, some meandered from side to side and others objected loudly.

Nicholas' mount was one of those that refused to move. Nicholas tried to spur him on and Jarrod pushed from the rear but the ornery beast simply refused to move. All around adults were resorting to all kinds of strange methods to get their woolly beasts to move even a few paces forward. It was mayhem and the crowd were almost hysterical with laughter at the sight of husbands, fathers, uncles, older brothers being beaten by the four-legged beasts who would only baa in response and run away.

Heath was having better luck than his brother, for at least Matty's sheep was moving in a direction that could loosely be described as going forward. Slowly they made progress and then suddenly the beast picked up speed and had Heath desperately trying to catch up and hold on to Matty. The scene was replicated all around the arena.

After about twenty minutes, one sheep, its rider and an accompanying adult crossed the finishing line after a route that had circumnavigated the course twice. Buffalo Bill came forward to announce the winner and everyone's eyes looked up to see who it was.

Jarrod who had pushed and shoved Nicholas' sheep to part way down the course, breathed a sigh of relief that he wouldn't have to push any more. He smiled when he saw who had crossed the line.

"And the winner is......" Buffalo began in grand and eloquent style, "The winner is.... Matty Barkley!"

To thunderous applause Matty slid down from his mount and ran across to accept his prize. He was beaming with pride when he was scooped up by his father who was equally proud. Buffalo Bill presented him with a trophy nearly as big as himself and a big storybook which Nicholas helpfully held onto for his brother. Matty held on to his trophy tightly and squeezed it to himself savouring the moment. It was a trophy that would sit on his bedside table with pride well into his teens bringing back memories of a very special day.

Matty ran back to his Mama to show her his prize with Nicholas following close on his heels. Meg's heart leapt for joy for her little unassuming son who was so happy with his trophy. She so loved to see him happy and his broad smile lit up his face and hers.

"Mama! Mama! Look what I won with Papa! We won a trophy! And guess what! I get to keep it for ever! Look Mama! See how it shines!"

Meg's arms enveloped him and the trophy too. Somehow she thought he would go to sleep with it that night. "Oh I am so proud of you Matty," she said kissing him on the cheek.

"Did you see me Mama? Did you see me?"

"Yes I did, and Nicholas too," she added involving her other son and pulling him close too.

"Can I see?" Little James asked. Matty generously passed over the trophy to his younger brother. "Papa helped me." Matty said proudly as James took it in his arms and nearly dropped it. Meg smiled at Matty's reference to Heath, who was his hero.

Heath and Jarrod returned to their seats, both wiping their handkerchiefs over their brows for it had been hard work. Immediately, James found his father's lap again and resumed occupancy.

Nick expressed his cattleman's disdain and 'hmmphd' loudly. "Sheep!"

"You said something little brother," Jarrod said wryly, as he stood up to put on his jacket again, the simple act making him feel human again. His retentive mind recalled an incident from years back and the troublesome flock of sheep Nick had been lumbered with following a card game many years ago.

"I just said sheep!" Nick repeated, suddenly remembering the incident too and not wishing to pursue the subject any further for fear that the story would be resurrected and with it his own embarrassment too. If Jarrod and Heath had thought they looked funny out there in the arena it was nothing to Nick's own experience with the woolly beasts.

"Uncle Nick?" Nicholas said coming in between the men. "I don't think sheep are as clever as cattle. I kept telling it where to go but it wouldn't. Would it, Uncle Jarrod?"

"No Nicholas. It wouldn't. But as you said to Buffalo Bill 'we're cattlemen'."

Nick's head shot up. "You said that Nicholas?"

Nicholas nodded.

Jarrod watched the exchange between his nephew and his brother and could see the cogs turning over in Nick's mind. He knew Nick loved the idea of his own son and Heath's boys working the ranch together and that to hear Nicholas, at six, affirm the Barkleys were cattlemen would make his heart swell with pride and guarantee the ranch well into the middle of the next century.

"No doubt about it Jarrod." Bellowed Nick "This boy's a Barkley through and through. You made me real proud, Nicholas." He said, grinning from ear to ear with his quirky smile.

"But I lost?" Nicholas said, not understanding his uncle.

"Why there's no shame in losing Nicholas so long as you tried your best."

"Oh I did, Uncle Nick. I really did. You did too, didn't you Uncle Jarrod," he said innocently.

Jarrod winced when answering, his encounter with sheep not having impressed him or the beast. "Yes, Nicholas. I tried my very best." He desperately hoped no one could see the fingers he had crossed behind his back. He loved his nephew dearly, but a sheepman he could never be.

The evening had ended as it had begun with a huge parade and fireworks that had gone high up into the sky and filled it with colors. It was spectacular and all the children were on their feet with the wonder of it all, all except Little Heath who perhaps would not remember this day as much as his older cousins. Maybe he had been a might young to bring his father speculated as he gazed down into his beloved son's face, unable to resist stroking his son's chubby chin, but at least Little Heath could say one day that he was there when the great Buffalo Bill had come to town.

Reluctantly, the Barkleys wound their way home, a mixture of elation and sadness filling the children hearts as they watched the arena grow ever more smaller the further they walked away. Nick carried Little Heath who came awake as they neared the carriages and Jarrod carried Nicholas whilst Heath carried James.

Meanwhile an excited Matty held onto his father's other hand. "Did you enjoy the evening, Matty?" Heath asked his son, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it all the same.

"Oh yes Papa," Matty beamed. "It was the best day of my life! Well," he added, "the second best day of my life."

Heath expressed surprise and looked across to Meg who was shepherding their daughters towards the carriages that would take them back to the house they had rented whilst Nick and his smaller family would stay at Jarrod and Felicity's tonight before setting back sometime later the next day. Nicholas was trying to persuade his Uncle Nick to let Little Heath stay with his cousins overnight.

"What was the first?" Heath asked, puzzled. The next words out of Matty's voice humbled him completely.

"The day you and Mama adopted me. That was the best day of my life! I got me the best Mama and Papa in the world and the best family too."

Heath eyes filled with tears as did Meg's and he squeezed every ounce of his love into his son's hand with his own large one, "Well son," he choked out. "Your mother and I got us a son we love very much and are proud of every day, on that day too. Always remember that."

Matty Heath Barkley looked up and grinned broadly at both his parents and with his trophy clung in his left arm he skipped between them, a very happy little soul.

Later that night, Meg was finishing putting the young ones to bed. Heath had just said goodnight to his daughters and saw Meg beckoning him from across the hall.

"Look!" she said, nestling herself back into his arms.

He held on to her tightly and nuzzled into her neck letting her Orange Blossom scent invade him and his lips gently capture the corner of her beautifully shaped ear and and begin a course feather light kisses down her slender neck.

"Look!" she admonished him.

He lifted his head and rested it gently on her shoulder, his face cheek to cheek with hers as they leaned into each other.

"Aren't they adorable?" she said, as they watched from the doorway. Nick had generously agreed for Little Heath to stay the night with his cousins and all four boys, Matty, Nicholas, James and Little Heath knelt saying their prayers, or rather having their nightly chat with God. They were telling Him about the evening and all they had seen, including the sheep race and meeting Buffalo Bill.

It was for both children and parents a perfect end to a perfect day.